Hydraulic separation of solids



March 18, 1947. w. L. REMlCK 2, 7

HYDRAULIC SEPARATION OF SOLIDS Filed May 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 1

March 18, 1947. "w. REMICK 2,417,550,

HYDRAULIC SEPARATION OF SOLIDS Filed May 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MmLmak l' March 18, 1947.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 mm, x; M

una 2:

w. L. REMICK HYDRAULIC SEPARATION OF SOLIDS Flled May 23, 1942 0 M a E s 5 x mi mi TE March 18, 1947. w, 'I 2,417,660

. HYDRAULIC SEPARATION OF SOLIDS Filed May 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mama,

March 18, 1947. w, REMCK 2,417,660

HYDRAULIC SEPARATION OF SOLIDS Filed May 23, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTdR WALTER L. REMICK,

Patented Mar. 18, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC SEPARATION OF SOLIDS Walter L. Remick, Evanston, Ill.

Application May 23, 1942, Serial No. 444,272

12 Claims. 1

My invention consists in a new and useful improvement in hydraulic separation of solids, and is designed for separating materials of different specific gravi'ties, more particularly fine or slack coal from its associated non-combustible materials. My improved process comprises the segregation of overflow and underfiow products by hydraulic separation, in each of three stages of the process. The first stage is accomplished by the use of hydraulic classification in which the materials of different specific gravities become separated in a fluid medium, the density of which is controlled so as to facilitate the separation. The underflow product of this first stage is discharged to waste. A portion of the overflow product of this stage is a portion of the final product of my process. A portion of this overfiow product of the first stage is the feed to that part of my improved apparatus whereby the second stage of my improved process is practiced. The second stage of my process is accomplished by the use of hydraulic classification in which the materials of different specific gravities become separated in upwardly flowing currents of water. The underflow product of this second stage is discharged to waste. A portion of the middling product of this second stage is a portion of the final product of my process. The residue of this middling product of the second stage is returned to that part of my improved apparatus whereby the first stage of my process is practiced. The overflow product of the second stage, united with the residue of the overflow product of the first stage, is the feed to that part of my improved apparatus whereby the third stage of my improved process is practiced. The third stage of my process is accomplished by the use of hydraulic separation in which the residue of material in the feed to the third stage is separated from the liquid to become the residue of the final product of my process. The particularly novel and useful features of my invention are the means for and the steps in the process of returning a portion of the product of the second stage for retreatment in the first stage whereby there is afforded means for more nicely controlling the density of the fluid medium for separation in the first stage, and the control of the water used for the hydraulic separation of all three stages, in circuits so nearly closed as to retain within the apparatus all the water except so much as is necessarily discharged with the finished products.

While I have hereinafter fully described my improved process and one'specific embodiment of my improved apparatus for practicing my proc- 2 ess, which is fully illustrated in the drawings filed herewith, it is to be distinctly understood that I do not consider my invention, either as to my improved process or my improved apparatus, to be limited by such disclosures, but refer for its scope to the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relation of the several units of my improved apparatus and indicating the courses of liquid and materials in the practice of my improved process.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the first unit of my apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the second unit of my apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the third unit of my apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section detail illustrating a modified form of sump for the first unit illustrated in Fig. 2.

*Fig. 6 is a vertical section detail illustrating another modified form of sump for the first unit illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the use, in the first unit, of the modified form of sump illustrated in Fig. 5.

As illustrated in the drawings, my improved apparatus has the first unit A for the initial treatment of the mixed materials, the second unit B for the retreatment of the materials discharged from unit A, and the third unit C for retreatment of materials discharged from units A and B. Unit A (Fig. 2) has a cylindrical tank I with frusto-conical bottom 2 with a centrally disposed cylindrical chamber 3 having a frusto-conical bottom 4 from which depends a discharge pipe =5 communicating with the casing 6 of an endless conveyor 1. The tank I is provided across its top with beams 8 on which is suitably journaled a rotatable shaft 9 with head In from which radiates a series of pipes I I provided with downwardly extending, tangentially disposed nozzles 12 adjacent the bottom '2 of the tank I. The head It has a depending sleeve iii in which is received a pipe [4, with valve I5, connected with the discharge side of the pump l6, and communicating with the head [0. The tank I has an overflow launder I! which discharges onto a screen [-8, with discharge pipe l9 therefrom, disposed over sump 20 having an overflow discharge pipe 2! and an underflow discharge pipe 22 and a second underflow discharge pipe 23. The pipe 22 communicates with the intake side of the pump it. The casing 6 of the conveyor 1 has a water reservoir 24 with float 25 having a pitman 26 On lever 21 on valve 28 in pipe 29. The tank I has a cylindrical feed spout 30 supported by beams 0, concentric with tank I. There is a feed chute 3I so disposed as to discharge the feed into spout 30. Suitably disposed relative to this chute 31 is the pipe 32 with spray heads (not shown) whereby water may be applied to the feed as it enters the tank I.

Unit B (Fig. 3) has a cylindrical tank I with a frusto-conical bottom I02 with a centrally disposed depending cylindrical chamber I03 having a frusto-conical bottom I04 from which depends a discharge pipe I05 communicating with the casing I06 of an endless conveyor IN. The tank IOI is provided across its top with beams I08 on which is journaled the rotatable shaft I 00 with the depending tubular casing IIO extending into the tank IOI. Suitably supported in this casing IIO is the depending concentric pipe III from which radiate pipes I I2 connected with pipe III and having downwardly extending, tangentially disposed nozzles H3 adjacent the bottom I02 of tank IIH. Suitably journaled in the shaft I09 and the pipe III is the shaft H4 provided with impeller I I5 located in the upper portion of pipe III, and also provided with pulley IIS connected by belt I I! with motor H0 mounted on the beams I08. The pipe I I I has a concentric, depending shaft II9 with head I from which radiate pipes I2I with nozzles I22 disposed adjacent the bottom I04 of the chamber I03. A pipe I23, with Valve I24, passes through pipe I05, and into chamber I03, connected through head I20 with pipes I2I. The tank IOI has a discharge pipe I25, with valve I20, the pipe I25 being disposed on the side of tank IOI, in the horizontal plane of the intake I2'I of the casing Disposed below the discharge end of pipe I25 is the screen I28 with discharge pipe I29 therefrom. Located below the screen I28 is the sump I30 having its discharge pipe I3I, with valve I32, connected with the intake side of pump I33. Adjacent this pump I33, there is a conventional form of drying device I34. This device I 34 has a feed hopper I35 into which discharge the two previously described pipes, pipe I0 from the screen I8 of unit A, and pipe I29 from the screen I28 of unit B. The device I 34 has a discharge means I36 for the dried product of the device, and a pipe I3! to convey the liquid removed from the product to the intake side of the pump I33. The discharge side of the pump I33 has a pipe I 38 which discharges into the sump 20 of unit A. The casing I00 of the conveyer I0! has a water reservoir I30 with float I00 having a pitman I II on lever I42 on valve I 53 in pipe I44. The tank IOI has a cylindrical feed spout I05, supported on beams I08, into which discharges underflow pipe 23 from the bottom of the sump 20 of unit A. The tank IOI has an overflow launder I46 with discharge pipe I41 connected with the overflow pipe 2i from the sump 20 of unit A.

Unit C (Fig. 4) has a cylindrical tank 20I with frusto-conical bottom 202 with an underfiow discharge pipe 203 depending therefrom. The tank 20I is provided across its top with beams 204 on which is suitably journaled the rotatable shaft 205 with depending tubular casing 200 extending into tank 20I. Suitably supported in this casing 206 is the depending concentric pipe 20'! from which radiate pipes 208 connected with pipe 201 and having downwardly extended, tangentially disposed nozzles 209 adjacent the bottom 202 of the tank 20I. Suitably journaled in shaft 205 and pipe 201 is the shaft 2"] provided with impeller 2H, located in the upper portion of pipe 201, and also provided with pulley 2I2 connected by belt 2I3 with motor 2M mounted on the beams 200. The tank 20I has an overflow launder 2I5 with a discharge pipe 2I6 connected with the intake side of of a pump 2 ii. The pipe 203 is connected with the intake side of a conventional filter 2I3 having the solid material discharge 2I0 and the liquid discharge pipe 220 connected with the intake side of the pump 2. The discharge side of the pump 2|! has a p 22! which discharges into a tank 222 disposed above unit A, and it is to be noted that pipes 29, 32, I23 and I44 are so related to said tank 222 as to supply water from said tank 222, respectively, to reservoir 20 of unit A, to feed chute 3| of unit A, to chamber I03 of unit B, and to reservoir I39 of unit B.

In Fig. 5, there is illustrated a modified form of sump 20' for use in unit A. The sump 20' is disposed under the screen 58 with discharge pipe I9, and has the overflow discharge pipe 2i. It has the underflow discharge pipe 22' serving the same purpose as the pipe 22 (Fig. 2), viz. it is connected with the intake side of the pump I5 of unit A (Fig. 7.). The sump 20' of Fig. 5 differs from the sump 20 of Fig. 2, in that it does not have the underflow discharge pipe 23 connected with feed spout I05 of unit B, but the sump 20' is provided in its downwardly sloping bottom with a depending chamber 23' with an underflow discharge pipe 23" which has a valve 23", and is connected with feed spout I25 of unitB (Fig. 7).

In Fig. 6, there is illustrated another modified form of sump for use in unit A. The sump 20" is disposed under the screen I0 with discharge pipe i9 and has the overflow discharge pipe 2I. It has the underflow discharge pipe 22" serving the same purpose as the pipe 22 (Fig. 2) and the pipe 22 (Fig. 5), viz. it is connected with the intake side of the pump I3 of unit A. The sump 20" has the downwardly inclined bottom 23a and the vertical wall 23b, the portion 23c of the bottom 23a extending somewhat beyond the wall 23-4). A baffle plate 23-11 extends outwardly and upwardly from the wall 23b, its upper end being disposed in the plane of the bottom 23a and spaced from the outer end of the portion 23c. It is obvious (Fig. 6) that there is formed a small chamber in the side of the sump 20", and from the lower end of this chamber opens pipe 23e with valve 23-4. This pipe 23e is connected with the feed spout I45 of unit B.

Having described the details of construction of my improved apparatus, I will now describe its use and operation in the practice of my improved process. For the purpose of illustration, I will describe an exemplary form of my apparatus designed to treat mixed materials, viz. coal and its associated non-combustible material, at a rate of 550 tons per hour. To handle this amount of feed, my apparatus comprises four units A, two units B, and one unit C. It will be understood that the supply and discharge means of the four units A, and the two units B are so arranged as to conform to the system illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to which reference is made to aid in an understanding of the following description of my improved process.

The units A, B and C are supplied with a suitable amount of water from the tank 22-2. It

is assumed that the mixed materials to be separated have been passed through a screen of /2 inch openings and are fed to units A by chutes 3 I. As the materials pass along these chutes 3!, they pass under spray heads which are supplied with water from tank 222 through the pipes 32. The materials entering tanks I of the units A are subjected to the treatment disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent Number 2,052,004, viz. The classifying effect of an upwardly flowing current from the nozzles I2, supplied by pump I6, causing rotation of head III, pipes I I and nozzles I2. The mass of overflowed particles passes through launders H and flows across the horizontal screens I 8 having /8 inch openings. The particles which are larger than /8 inch and have overflowed from tanks I are the clean coal particles and these pass over the screens I8 and through pipes I 9 to the drying device ltd. It is to be particularly noted that as the overflowed mass passes over the screens I8, horizontal stratification of this mass occurs, the heavier particles sinking to pass through the screens I8, and the lighter fine particles tending to pass with the lighter coarse particles over the screens I8. In this way, much fine coal is obtained with the coarser coal, this fine coal being particles less than /8 inch in size, and passes out to the drying device I34, as the final desired product.

The particles Which pass through the screens I 8, slate and some of the fine coal, are received in the sumps 20. As will be presently explained, the screened middling products of units B are returned through pipes I 38 to the sumps 20. A portion of the feed to sumps 20 is drawn by pumps I6, through pipes 22, and returned to tanks I. Another portion of this feed flows from sumps 20 through pipe 23 to tanks IfiI of units B.

The underflow product, slate particles, of tanks I of units A, settles through chambers 3 and discharge pipes 5 into casings 6 of the conveyors I to be discharged to waste.

It is to be particularly noted that variations in the density of the fluid circulated in tanks I of units A, caused by fluctuations in the quantity and quality of the mixed materials being fed to tanks I, result in variations of the flow of water, through pipes 5, upwardly into tanks I, sup-plied from reservoirs 24, according to the method disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Serial Number 249,817. If, due to an increase in the quantity of the under-flow product in the feed, the density of the fluid is increased, the water levels in reservoirs 24 are caused to rise, raising floats 25, and thereby reducing the volume of water supplied to reservoirs 24, through pipes 29 from tank 222. This results in a decrease in the velocity of the upward currents through pipes 5 into tanks I, permitting faster discharge of the underflow products of tanksI. If, however, due to a decrease in the quantity of the underflow product of the feed, the density of the fluid is decreased, the water levels in the reservoirs 24 fall, lowering the floats 25 and thereby causing an increase in the volume of water supplied to' reservoirs 24 through the pipes 29. This results in an increase in the velocity of the upward currents through pipes 5 into the tanks I, causing a retarding of the discharge of the underflow product from tanks I. It is obvious that this automatic control of the upward currents through pipes 5 produces the desired hydraulic separation in the pipes 5, the currents being increased when the overflow product increases with the decrease of the underflow product, and the currents being decreased when the overflow product decreases with the increase of the underflow product. This operation of that particular portion of my apparatus assists in securing the control of the density of the fluid in tanks I, to produce the desired degree of specific gravity of the fluid so that it shall produce the desired separation of the overflow and the underflow products.

As above described, the feed to the tanks IEII of units B is supplied through pipes 23 from sumps 20. The materials entering the tanks IOI are subjected to the treatment disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Serial Number 249,817, viz. The segregation of overflow and underflow products by hydraulic separation in each of three stages of the process, as now will be fully described.

The impeller H5 in casing III] being actuated by the motor IIB induces a flow of water from tank IIlI into the intake I2! of the casing III) and therefrom through pipe III, pipes I I2, and out through nozzles II3. As is well known, the emission of the liquid from the nozzle I I3 causes rotation of pipe III, thereby causing rotation therewith of head I20 and its nozzles I22 in the chamber I63. The circulation of water through tanks IIiI creates an upwardly flowing current, in each tank IOI.

The overflow product passes out of tanks IIJI, through launders I45 to pipes I41, and its further treatment in unit C will presently be explained.

The middling product of tanks IOI passes out of tanks IOI through the pipes I25 onto screens I28 having screen cloth of 28 mesh. The particles, fine coal, larger than 28 mesh will pass over these screens I28 and through pipe I 20 to the drying device I34. The particle which are finer than 28 mesh pass through the screens I28 into sumps I30 and therefrom through pipes I3I to the intake of pumps I33. It is to be noted that the liquid removed from the product, clean coal, in the drying device I 3 3 is conveyed through pipe I31 to the intake of the pumps I 33. The discharge of the pumps I as is supplied through pipes I38 to sumps 20 of units A, as above mentioned.

The underflow product from tanks IGI passes to chambers I03. By the suitable adjustment of the valves I24 in pipes I23, water is supplied from tank 222, in regulated amounts, to heads I26, pipes I2! and out through nozzles I22, creating a second upwardly flowing current causing hydraulic classification of the mixed underflow from the tanks II I. This upwardly flowing current is so controlled as to cause the desired overflow product to be separated out and pass from the chambers I03 to tanks Itl to be retreated therein. The underflow product of chambers I03 passes down.- wardly into pipes I05 to casings I06 of the conveyors I01. By means of pipes I44 water is supplied from tank 222 to reservoirs I I J- and therefrom to casings I06, whereby a third upwardly flowing current can be created, through pipes I05, causing hydraulic separation of the mixed underflow product from chambers I03, resulting in the overflow product returning to chambers I03 f-or retreatment, the underflow product of this third current, slate particles, passing to casings I06 to be discharged by conveyors It! to waste.

It is obvious that variations in the density of the fluid circulated in tanks Iiil and chambers I I13 result in variations of this third current passing through pipes I05, in a manner similar to the 7 automatic variation of the flow through the pipes of tanks I in units A.

As above mentioned the overflow product of tanks IOI flows through pipes M1, and thence to pipes 21 to join the overflow from sumps 20 of units A, and be discharged by pipe 2| into tank 20I of unit C.

The character and operation of unit C are that of my improved apparatus described and claimed in United States Letters Patent Number 1,767,227. The operation of impeller ZII by the motor 2M induces a flow of the liquid in tank 20L through casing 206., pipe 201, pipes 208 and their nozzles 209, emission of the liquid from the nozzles 2 09 causing rotation of pipe 201, pipes 208 and their nozzles 209. This circulation of the liquid creates an upwardly flowing current in tank 20! causing hydraulic separation from the liquid of such particles of the fine coal as may have been carried by the overflowing liquid from the sumps 20 of units A and the launders I46 of units B. This underflow product of unit C passes downw-ardly from tank 20L through pipe 203, into the filter 2 i8, and the filtered coal particles pass therefrom through discharge 2 I9, to be added to the dried clean coal product discharged from the drying device I34 to constitute the desired final product of my improved process. The liquid discharged from filter 2 I8 which, having been freed of all coal particles by action of the filter 2I8, is now clear water, passes through pipe 220 to the intake of pump 211. The clear water overflowezi from tank 20!, passing through launder 2i5 and pipe 2I6, is also fed to the intake of pump 2H, and the discharge from pump 2 I! passes through pipe 22I to the supply tank 222.

I will now describe the use and operation of the modified forms of sumps 20 and 20" illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 respectively, for use with unit A of my apparatus. As above pointed out, the sump 20 is positioned under the screen I8 and so receives the particles less than inch passing through the screen I8. It is obvious that as these particles settle in the sump 20, passing along the downwardly sloping bottom, there occurs a horizontal classification, the heavier particles settling to be received into the depending chamber 23, then through pipe 23 to unit B (Fig. '7), and the lighter particles passing to the forward end of the sump 20' to be drawn through pipe 22 by pump I6 and returned to tank I (Fig. '7). Likewise in sump 20 the heavier particles passing along the sloping bottom 23a and over its end 230 are trapped by wall 23--0Z to pass out through pipe 23--e to unit B, and the lighter particles passing over the upper end of wall 23d to the forward end of sump 20" are drawn through pipe 22 by pump I 6 and returned to tank I. Thus, it is obvious that by the use of either or these modified forms of sumps, with unit A, I secure a separation of the screened particles, according to specific gravity. The materials stratify, in horizontal flow through the sump, the heavier particles going to unit B and the lighter particles returning to tank I of unit A. The functioning of these sumps, as above de scribed, supplies an additional step in the separation of the materials in unit A. Thus the functioning of each unit A practices three distince separation steps, viz. (1) the hydraulic separation in tank I by the upwardly flowing current therein causing hindered settling action, (2) the horizontal Stratification on the screens I8, and (3)v the horizontal stratification in sumps 20 or 20". From the foregoing description of the" operation of unit A, with either of the modified forms of sumps, it is obvious that in that particular stage of my improved process two effects are produced:

1. Sizing within the cleaning process.

2. Concentration of undersize for retreatment in the next stage.

I will now describe the distribution of the materials by the process heretofore described. As above mentioned, the mixed materials are fed to units A at the rate of 550 ton per hour. At this rate of feed, the discharge of clean coal from screens I8 is at the rate of 360 tons per hour, the discharge of the slate by the conveyors 'I is at the rate of 40 tons per hour, and the feed from sumps 20, 20' or 20 to units B is at the rate of 150 tons per hour. The discharge of the clean coal from units B is at the rate of tons per hour, and the discharge of slate from units B is at the rate of 15 tons per hour. As the clean coal from units A and units 13 pass together through the drying device I34, the total discharge therefrom is at the rate of 495 tons per hour, as the final desired product of my process, the total slate discharge being at the rate of 55 tons per hour.

I will now describe the rate of flow of the water used in the foregoing described process. The supply tank 222 discharges 830 gallons per minute, of this 580 gallons per minute is returned through pipe 22!, and the balance, 250 gallons per minute, is supplied to the tank 222 by any suitable means. Units A are supplied, through pipes 32 and their spray heads on the feed with 530 G. P. M., through pipes 29 to reservoirs 24 with 100 G. P. M., and by pumps E33 of units B through pipes I38 with 1740 G. P. M., making a total of 2370 G. P. M. which is discharged from units A, over screens I8 at the rate of 260 G. P. M., overflow of sumps 20, 20 or 20 at the rate of 250 G. P. M., underflow of sumps 20, 20 or 20" at the rate of 1800 G. P. M., and discharge by elevators I at the rate of 60 G. P. M., a total of 2370 G. P. M. Units B are supplied through feed pipes I45 at the rate of 800 G. P. M., t O supply pipes I23 at the rate of 100 G. P. M., and through pipes I44 from tank 222 to reservoirs I39 at the rate of 100 G. P. M., making a total of 2000 G. P. M. which is discharged from units B, over screens I28 at the rate of 180 G. P. M., underfiow of sumps I 30 at the rate of 1440 G. P. M., overflow through launders I46 at the rate of 350 G. P. M., and discharge by elevators I01 at the rate of 30 G. P. M., making a total of 2000 G. P. M.

It is to be noted that the water discharged over screens I8 and screens I28 flows at the rate of 260 and 180 G. P. M., respectively, making a flow with the clean coal into the drying device I34 of 440 G. P. M., of which a flow of G. P. M., escapes from the drying device I34 with the clean coal, and a flow of 300 G. P. M. is drawn from the drying device I34 by pumps I33 to join the flow of 1440 G. P. M. from sumps I30 so that the pumps I33 supply to sumps 20, 20' or 20 a flow of 1740 G. P. M., as above stated.

Unit C i supplied through pipe 2I with a flow of 600 G. P. M., being the combination of the overflow of 250 G. P. M. from sumps 20, 20 or 20", and the overflow of 350 G. P. M from launders I46 of units B, as above mentioned. This flow of 600 G. P. M. is discharged from unit C through pip-e 203 at the rate of G. P. M., and through launder 2I5 at the rate of 450 G. P. M.

9 It is to be noted that the flow from unit C through pipe 203 passes to filter MS from which there is an escape of water with the filtered particles at the rate of 20 G. P. M., the residue being drawn by pump 2|! at the rate of 130 G. P. M. to join the aforesaid flow from launder 215, so that the pump 2H supplies through pipe 22| to the tank 222 a flow of 580 G. P. M., as above explained.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the tank 222 supplies through pipes 29 aflow of 100 G. P. M. into reservoirs 24 of units A, through pipes 32 a flow of 530 G. P. M. to the spray heads for the feed to units A, through pipes I23 a, flow of 100 G. P. M. to units B, and through pipes IN a flow of 100 G. P. M. to reservoirs I39 of units B, making a total flow fromtank 222 of 830 G. P. M. Of this flow of 830 G. P. M. from tank 222, as we have seen, there is a return flow through pipe 22! of 580 G. P. M., and the balance, 250 G. P. M., is lost, in the following manner; escapes from drying device I34 a flow of 140 G. P. M., escapes from elevators 1 a, flow of 60 G. P. M., escapes from elevators I01 a flow of 30 G. P. M., and escapes from filter 2&8 a flow of 20 G. P. M., making the total of 250 G. P. M.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

the undersize portion, to form at least two strata;

introducing an upper stratum into said current; subjecting the lowest stratum to the classifying effect of an upwardly flowing current of a fluid medium, thereby producing an overflow product, a middling product and an underflow product; discharging separately the overflow and the underflow products; screening the middling product; discharging the oversize portion of said middling product; and adding the undersizeportion of said middling product to the undersize portion of the overflow product of the first mentioned current.

2. The process of separating mixed materials which consists in subjecting the materials to the classifying effect of an upwardly flowing current of a liquid medium, thereby segregating the overflow and underflow products; di charging the underflow product to waste; screening the overflow product; discharging the oversize portion of said overflow product; causing Stratification of the undersize portion, to form uppenmiddle and lower strata; introducing the middle stratum into said current; subjectingthe lower stratum to the classifying effect of an upwardly flowing current of a fluid medium, thereby producing an overflow product, a middling product and an underflow product; discharging the underflow prodnot to waste; screening the middling product; discharging the oversize portion of said middling product; adding the undersize portion of said middling product to the undersize portion of the overflow product of the first mentioned current; combining the overflow product of said second current with the upper stratum of the undersize portion of the overflow product of the first current; subjecting said combined products to hydraulic separation by which the residue of solid material is separated from the overflowed liquid; and discharging the separated solid material.

3. In an apparatus for separating mixed materials, the combination of a tank having an overflow launder and an underflow discharge conduit; means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials fedinto said tank, to dis.- charge the overflow product through said launder, and the underflow product through said con duit; a screen so disposed as to receive thereon the said overflow product; a sump below said screen and having an inclined bottom so disposed as to receive thereon the undersize portion of the overflow product and two, chambers gradiently disposed below said bottom so disposed as to reoeive upper and lower strata of said undersize portion respectively; and a discharge pipe from the bottom of each of said chambers, the one of said discharge pipes from the chamber receiving the upper stratum being connected With the bottom of said tank.

4. In an apparatus for separating mixed materials, the combination of ,a tank having an overflow launder and an underflow discharge conduit; means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials'fed into said tank, to discharge theoverflow product through said launder, and the underflow product through said conduit; a screen so disposed as to receive thereon the said overflow product; means adapted to cause stratiflcation according to specific gravities of the undersize portion of the said overflow product which has passed through said screen, to form at least two strata of lesser and greater specific gravities respectively; a pipe adapted to convey an upper stratum of lesser specific gravity from said stratiflcation means to the bottom of said tank; and a second pipe adapted to discharge the lowest stratum from said stratification means.

5. In an apparatus for separating mixed materials. the combination of a tank having an overflow launder and an underflow discharge conduit; means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials fed into said tank, to discharge the overflow product through said launder, and the underflow product through said conduit; a screen so disposed as to receive thereon the said overflow product; means adapted to cause stratification according to specific gravities of the undersize portion of the overflow prodnot which has passed through the screen, to form upper, middle and lower strata of lesser, intermediate and greater specific gravities, respectively; a pipe adapted to convey said middle stratum of intermediate specific gravity from said stratiflcation means to the bottom of said tank; and two other pipes adapted to discharge said upper and lower strata, respectively, from said stratiflcation means.

6. The process of separating mixed materials of different specific gravities which consists in subjecting the materials to the classifying efiect of an upwardly flowing current of a fluid medium, thereby segregating overflow and underflow products of lesser and greater-specific gravities respectively; discharging the underflow product to waste; screening the overflow product; discharging the oversize portion of said overflow product as one product of the process; causing Stratificationaccording to specific gravities of the undersize portion, forming upper, middle and lower strata of lesser, intermediate and greater specific gravities, respectively; introducing the middle stratum into the current for reclassification; and discharging the upper and lower strata, separately, as two more products of the process,

7- The process of separating mixed materials of different specific gravities which consists in 2,41 vie-co H subjecting ithe'materials'to the classifying effect of an upwardly flowing current of a fluid medium, thereby segregating overflow and'underflow products of lesser and greater specific gravities respectively; discharging "the underflow product to waste; screening the overflow product; discharging the oversize portion of said overflow product as one of the products of the process; separating the undersize'portion of said overflow product into at least two portions of .lesser and greater specific gravity; "introducing one of said portions of lesser specific gravity into said current for reclassification; subjecting the portion of greatest specific gravity to the classifying .efie'ct of second upwardly flowing current of a fluid medium, thereby producing :an overflow product of lesser specific gravity, a middling product of intermediate specific gravity and an underflow product of greater specific gravity; discharging separately the said overflow and underflow products of said second current; screening the said middling product; discharging the oversizeportioncf said middling "product as another product of the'process; and returning the undersize portion of said middling .product to besubj'ecte'dto the aforesaid separating step in the process to which-the undersize portion of the-overflow product "of the first current is sub- J'ected.

v8. The process of separating mixed materials of different specific gravities which consists in subjecting the "materials tothe classifyin effect of an upwardly flowing current of a fluid medium, thereby segregating overflow andunderflow products of lesser and greater specific gravities, respectively, discharging the under'flow product to waste; screening the overflow product; discharging the oversize portion of said overflow product as oneofzthejproducts of the process; separating the .undersize portion of said overflow product into three portions of differing specific gravities; introducing the Ioneof said threeportions' having the medium specific ,gravity into said current "for reclassification; subjecting the one of said portionsihaving the greatest specific gravity to the classifying effect "of a secondupwardly flow- "ing current of .a fluid rmedium, thereby producing-Jan overflow product of lesser specific gravity, a middling product of intermediate :specific gravity and an underflow product of greaterspecifie gravity; discharging the under- 'fiow product "towaste; screening the middling "product; discharging the oversized portion of said middling product -as another of the products of the process; returning the under-size portion of said middling product to be subjected to the aforesaid separating step in the process to which the undersize portion of the overflow product of the first current is subjected; combining the overflow product of said second current with the one portion of theundersize portion of the overflowed product of the vfirst current having the leastspecific gravity; subjecting said com- "bined products to hydraulic separation by which the residue of solid material is separated from the 'overflowed liquid; and discharging the separated solid material as another product of the process.

'9. The process of "separating mixed materials which consists in subjecting the materials to the classifying 'eiiect'of an upwardlyflowing current of a fluidmedium, thereby segregating overflow and 'underflow'products; v discharging the underflow product to "waste; screening the overflow -product; discharging the oversize portion "of said overflow product as one of the products of "the process; separating the undersize portion of said overflow product into three portions of differing specific gravities; introducing the one of said three portions having the medium specific gravity into said current; subjecting the one of said three portions having the greatest specific gravity to the classifying eflect of an upwardly flowing current of a 'iiuid medium, thereby producing an overflow product, .a middling product and an under'flow product; subjecting the undcrflo-w product to the classifying efiect of an upwardly flowing current of water, thereby segregating overflow and underflow products; causing the overflow product of the current of water to reenter the second upwardly flowing current of a fluid medium; subjecting the last mentioned underflow product to the classifying eflect of a second upwardly flowing current of water joi saidfirst current of water, thereby supplementing the e'iiect of the first current of water by the classifying efiect of the second upwardly flowing current "of water, thereby segregating from the last mentioned underflow product any residue of light material not previously separated and retaining such light material in said first current oiiwater; discharging the last mentioned under- 'flowproduct to waste; screening'the said middling product; discharging the oversize portion of said middling product as another product of the process; returning the undersize portion of said middling product to be subjected to the aforesaid separatingstep in'the process in which the undersize portion of the overflow product of the first current oia fluid medium is subjected; combining the overflow product of the second current of a "fiuid medium with the one portion of the undersize portion of the overflow product of the first current of a 'fiuid medium 'having'the least specific gravity; subjecting 'said. combined products to hydraulic separation by which the residue of solid material is separated from the overflowed liquid; and discharging the separated solid material as 'anotherproduct of the process.

10. :In an apparatus for separating'mixedma- 'teria'ls of different specific gravities, the combination of a tank having an overflow launder and underfiow discharge conduit; means adapted to causehydraulic separation of mixed materials fed into said tank, to discharge the overflow product of lesser specific gravity through said launder, and the underflow product of greater specific gravity through said conduit; a screen 50 disposed as to receive thereon the said over- :flow productya sump below said screen; an overflow discharge means'for said sump; a pipe from :said sump connected with said hydraulic separation means; a second tank having an overflow launder, a discharge opening in its bottom, and

a discharge pipe disposed in the wall of said second tank at a level'between the levels of said launder and said opening respectively; a second pipe connecting the sump with the top of the second tank; means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials of different specific gravities fed'to said second tank through the pipe conn'ected with the top thereof, to discharge the overflow product of lesser specific gravity through the launder of the second tank, the middling "product of intermediate specific gravity through the discharge pipe of said second tank, and the underflow product of greater specific gravity through the discharge opening of said second tan'kya second screen so disposed as to receive thereon the said middling product; a sump below 13 said second screen, having a discharge pipe; and means adapted to convey the discharge of said second sump from its discharge pipe to the upper portion of said first sump.

11. In an apparatus for separating mixed materials of different specific gravities, the combination of a tank having an overflow launder and an underflow discharge conduit; means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials fed into said tank, to discharge the overflow product of lesser specific gravity through said launder, and the underflow product of greater specific gravity through said conduit; a screen so disposed as to receive thereon the said overflow product; a sump below said screen and having an overflow pipe; a second pipe from said sump connected with said hydraulic separation means; a second tank having an overflow launder, a discharge opening in its bottom, and a discharge pipe disposed in the wall of said second tank at a level between the levels of said launder and said opening respectively; a third pipe connecting the sump with the top of said second tank; means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials of different specific gravities fed to said second tank through the pipe connected therewith, to discharge the overflow product of lesser specific gravity through said launder of said second tank, the middling product of intermediate specific gravity through said discharge pipe of said second tank, and the underflow product of greater specific gravity through the discharge opening of said second tank; a'second screen so disposed as to receive thereon the middling product; a sump below said second screen, having, a discharge pipe; means adapted to convey the discharge of said second sump from its discharge pipe to the upper portion of said first sump; a third tank having an overflow launder and an underflow discharge pipe, and with which are connected the overflow pipe of the first sump and the launder of the second tank; and means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of material fed into said third tank from the first sump and the second tank, to discharge said material through the underflow discharge pipe of said third tank, and overflow the liquid from which said material has been separated, through the launder of the third tank.

12. In an apparatus for separating mixed materials of different specific gravities, the combination of a tank having an overflow launder and an overflow discharge conduit; means, adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials fed into said tank, to discharge the overflow product of lesser specific gravity through the launder, and the underflow product of greater specific gravity through said conduit; a screen so disposed as to receive thereon the said overflow product; a sump below said screen and having an overflow pipe; a second pipe from said sump connected with said hydraulic separation means; a second tank having an overflow launder, a discharge opening in its bottom, and discharge pipe disposed in the wall of said second tank at a level between the levels of said launder and said opening respectively; a third pipe connecting the sump with the top of said second tank; means adapted to cause hydraulic separation of mixed materials of different specific gravities fed to said second tank through the pipe connected therewith, to discharge the overflow product of lesser specific gravity through said launder of said second tank, the middling product of intermediate specific gravity through the discharge pipe of said second tank, and the underflow product of greater specific gravity through said discharge opening of said second tank; a second screen so disposed as to receive thereon the said middling product; a sump below said second screen, having a discharge pipe; means adapted to convey the discharge of said second sump, from its discharge pipe to the upper portion of said first sump; a chamber disposed below said second tank and communicating through the discharge opening of said second tank, and having an underflow discharge pipe; means in said chamber adapted to cause hydraulic separation of materials of different specific gravities fed into said chamber from said second tank, to discharge the overflow product of lesser specific gravity into said second tank, and the underflow product of greater specific gravity through the discharge pipe of said chamber; a third tank having an overflow launder and an underflow discharge pipe, and with the top of which are connected the overflow pipe of the first sump and the launder of the second tank; and means in said third tank adapted to cause hydraulic separation of material fed into said third tank from the first sump and the second tank, to discharge said material through the underflow discharge pipe of said third tank, and overflow the liquid from which said material has been separated, through the launder of said third tank.

WALTER L. REMICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

